Laundry drying system and method and implements therefor



B. 1.. CHAKNOVA 3,548,509

LAUNDRY DRYING SYSTEM AND METHOD AND IMPLEMENTS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 qh uxk w Dec. 22, 1970 Filed March 4, 1968 r um um? L ilhllli- Dec. 22, 1970 B. L. CHAKNOVA 3,548,50

LAUNDRY DRYING SYSTEM AND METHOD AND IMPLEMENTS THEREFOR Filed March 4; 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w jivvENToR LYA/AK/vm A Arr-aims) Dec. 22, 1970 B. 1.. CHAKNOVA LAUNDRY DRYING SYSTEM AND METHOD AND IMPLEMENTS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 4, 1968 INVENTOR. flaw/WWO A (Wm ow FIG-9 United States Patent O 3,548,509 LAUNDRY DRYING SYSTEM AND METHOD AND IMPLEMENTS THEREFOR Bernard L. Chaknova, Millbrae, Calif., assignor to Patek & Co., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Mar. 4, 1968, Ser. No. 710,017 Int. Cl. D06f 31/00; F26b /08 U.S. Cl. 348 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Washed fabrics are discharged from a washer into a mobile bin which can be moved manually on a support ing surface, and which contains a removably mounted flexible water-permeable container into which the washed fabrics are discharged. The container loaded with fabrics is bodily lifted from the bin by a hoist, and transported to and unloaded into a centrifugal extractor. Then the container still loaded with fabrics is removed from the extractor, and the washed fabrics are unloaded into a drier. The container is specially constructed to provide a bottom openable and recloseable by a draw cord, and has slings at the top for connection to the hoist.

The washed fabrics are discharged into two bins simultaneously, and a pair of loaded containers is handled in the manner described. Each bin has a conically surfaced protuberance at its side. When the loaded containers are removed from the bins they are placed side by side with the protuberances matching so that a cavity is formed between the loaded containers when they are lifted from the bins enabling them to be readily positioned over the usual hub in the centrifugal extractor.

This invention relates to a laundry drying system, and more particularly to a method of handling washed wet fabrics for transportation to the usual centrifugal extractor, and then to a drier wherein the fabrics are finally dried.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional commercial laundry washing systems comprise a washer in which the fabrics, such as clothes or other fabrics, are washed, a centrifugal extractor in which water is expelled from the wet fabrics, and a drier in which the fabrics are finally dried by heat. The centrifugal extractor is driven at a. high speed to expel the water, and comprises a perforated inner cylindrical basket within an outer shell. The perforated basket has a relatively large central hub connection to drive the same. Heretofore, it has been the practice to discharge the washed fabrics from the washer into heavy semi-cylindrical metal drums which also are perforated to allow expulsion of :water therefrom. A pair of such drums when loaded with fabrics is conveyed to and placed in matching relationship in the extractor about the extractor hub. Because of their weight, excessive power and a long time are required to drive the drums and bring the extractor up to extractor speed. Also, the metal drums are expensive and cumbersome to handle.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS The instant invention overcomes the problems heretofore encountered with the aforementioned heavy semicylindrical metal drums, by the provision of flexible containers or bags made of water-permeable material, so that water can be expelled therefrom. Each container is initially in the form of a tube having a bottom portion openable and recloseable by a draw cord, and a top portion to which slings are attached enabling the container to be connected to hoist means.

ice

Each container is placed within a bin with the bottom portion on the bottom of the bin and substantially closed by the draw cord. Advantageously, two bins with containers are positioned adjacent each other so that washed fabrics can be discharged simultaneously into the containers, from the two usual two discharge doors of the washer. The bins are provided with means, advantageously wheels, to enable them to be manually moved on a sup porting surface, such as a floor; and after the washed fabrics have been discharged into the containers, the bins are positioned side by side so that a pair of fabricloaded containers can be simultaneously transported from the bins by connection of the container slings to hoist and conveying means.

The slings are so arranged as to balance the load of the two fabric-loaded containers when they are transported by conveying means to the aforementioned centrifugal extractor into which the two loaded containers are simultaneously unloaded. After water has been expelled by the centrifugal extractor, the two loaded containers are then hoisted again by the lift means and conveyed to the usual drier into which the fabrics are unloaded by loosening the draw cord to open the bottom of each container.

The bins are of a special construction, each having a protuberance substantially midway of a side wall; and in unloading the bins after washed fabrics are discharged into the containers therein, they are positioned with the protuberances matching so that a bottom cavity is formed the two loaded containers enabling them to be fit over the hub of the centrifugal extractor.

Each flexible container, as previously mentioned, is in the form of a tube having the draw cord at one end to provide the openable and recloseable bottom. The slings at the opposite or top end of the tube are so arranged, that when the container is placed within a bin with the draw cord end substantially closed and supported on the bottom of the bin, two slings are at opposite ends at one side of the bin, while a third sling is substantially midway the opposite side of the bin adjacent the protuberance. This provides for excellent balancing of the load, and fitting of the loaded containers within the centrifu gal extractor.

From the preceding it is seen that the invention has as its objects, among others, the provision of an improved, simple, easy to operate, economical laundry drying system wherein flexible relatively lightweight containers are employed for transportation of washed wet fabrics to the usual centrifugal extractor and then to the usual drier; movable bins are utilized for holding such containers and moving them from the washer to hoist means; the containers are of such construction as to enable easy discharge of fabrics into the drier and balancing of the load of two containers when they are conveyed by the hoist means; and wherein the bins are specially constructed to provide a cavity between two loaded containers which will fit about a hub in the extractor. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a conventional washer with a pair of the bins hereof fitted with containers in a position to receive fabrics discharged from the washer;

FIG. 2 is a schematic and elevational view illustrating two loaded bins positioned side by side after they have been manually moved from a washer to lift means of a conveyor system in the laundry;

FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the bins in the same location as in FIG. 2 but illustrating the containers loaded with fabrics removed from the bins by the lift means;

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view of a conventional centrifugal extractor and illustrating a pair of containers loaded with fabrics, in position just before the loaded containers are discharged into the extractor after having been conveyed from the bins in FIG. 2A by the laundry conveyor system;

FIG. 3A is a schematic elevational view of the extractor with its cover closed, and the pair of containers unloaded from the lift means;

FIG. 3B is another similar elevational view of the extractor with its cover open, and illustrating the pair of loaded containers from which water has been expelled from the fabrics, in a position lifted from the extractor;

FIG. 3C is a horizontal section taken in plane indicated by the line 3C-3C in FIG. 3, illustrating a cavity between a pair of adjacent loaded containers for fitting about a hub in the extractor;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view, partly broken away, of a conventional drier illustrating the position of the containers after they have been conveyed from the extractor to the drier with the draw cord of one of the containers loosened to open its bottom for discharge of fabrics into the drier;

FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the extractor, illustrating the position of a pair of loaded containers just prior ot being manually packed in the extractor;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top elevational view of the extractor illustrating the position of the pair of loaded containers packed in the extractor, and illustrating in phantom lines how the containers spread apart in the extractor under the action of centrifugal force;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of one of the special bins hereof with portions shown broken away to illustrate its construction;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section taken in a plane indicated by the line 88 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the special container hereof in folded position;

FIG. 10 is a vertical transverse section taken in a plane indicated by the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a pair of containers in two adjacent bins positioned side by side but with the wet fabrics omitted from the containers; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of a form of double hook that may be employed on the lift means for hoisting two of the loaded containers simultaneously.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a conventional laundry drying system commonly employed in substantially all commercial launderies, comprises a washer 2 having openings 3 into which soiled fabrics are introduced and from which washed fabrics are discharged, and which are provided with closures 4. Washed clothes are transported to a centrifugal extractor 6, which as shown in more detail in FIG. 5, comprises an outer imperforate fixed cylindrical shell 7 and an inner rotatable cylindrical drum or basket 8 having a perforated side wall 9 and a central hub 11 fixed to its bottom 12. A rotatable drive connection 13 is keyed to the inside of hub 11. In the extractor, water is expelled through perforated wall 9 at the high centrifugal speed at which the extractor is rotated, and flows out of outer shell 7.

Also included in such laundry drying system is a conventional dryer 14 in which the still wet fabrics from the extractor, are dried by heat, such as hot air, as they are rotated in a conventional tumbling drum (not shown) in the drier; the drier having a side opening 16 into which the water-extracted fabrics are discharged and from which the fabrics are removed after being dried.

Semi-cylindrical heavy baskets of metal having a perforated side wall, have heretofore been provided for conveying the washed fabrics from washer 2 to extractor 6. For such purpose, the system conventionally includes an 4 overhead rail 17 for a chain hoist 18 slidable therealong with lift means 19 connected to the hoist.

The system hereof utilizes the conventional hoisting and conveying system comprising overhead rail 17, and lift means 18. However, the washed fabrics are transported from the washer to the extractor and from the extractor to the drier in relatively lightweight containers 21 of flexible water-permeable material through which water can pass under the centrifugal action effected in the extractor. The containers are fitted in special mobile bins 22, and a pair of such bins is provided which are positioned end to end as shown in FIG. 1, to receive washed clothes from the washer. They are then moved manually to the lift and conveyor means and positioned side by side as shown in FIG. 2 from which the fabricloaded containers 21 are lifted for conveying through the system in a manner to be described after the following detailed description of the containers and the bins.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, each bin is desirably made of any suitable lightweight material, such as molded fiberglass impregnated with a suitable resin, for example, polyester resin. It preferably has substantially parallel side walls 23 and substantially parallel end walls 24; being elongated in one direction and substantially rectangularly shaped in horizontal section as the flexible containers have been found to fit easier in a bin of this shape. The upper corner portions of the bin are formed with integral ribs 26 to reinforce the same; and the top edge is formed with a rounded lip 27. Mounting means, desirably caster wheels 28, is provided to enable the bin to be readily manually moved along a floor supporting surface 29; and the bin bottom has holes 31 for water drainage.

For a purpose to be discussed later in greater detail, each bin is provided substantially midway of one side wall 23 with a protruding portion 32 which will form a hollow portion in the bottom of a fabric-loaded container 21 within the bin. The protuberance is advantageously conically surfaced in the form of a half cone extending upwardly from adjacent the bin bottom to adjacent the top with its base at the bottom. It is desirably of the same material as the bin, and is fixedly secured by means of fastening members extending through integral flange 32.

With particular reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, each container 21 is of tubular form comprising in collapsed folded condition a pair of side panels 33 having a draw cord 34 slidably mounted in a hem 36 at one end of the tube to thus provide an openable and recloseable bottom portion 37. The side panels 33 are provided with three slings projecting from the upper edge to enable a container loaded with washed fabrics to be lifted; and when the panels are positioned adjacent each other, in the manner shown in FIG. 9, a sling 38 extends from one upper corner of the tube and a sling 39 extends from the upper edge of each side panel at a position spaced from the corner 41 which is opposite the corner to which sling 38 is connected.

The slings are formed integral with vertical reinforcing webbed straps 42 secured to the panels such as by stitching; and a similar horizontal circumferential reinforcing webbed strap 43 is secured, such as by stitching, to side panels 33. Slings 39 are longer than the sling 38 so that the two loops 44 may be formed in each of them for a purpose which will be pointed out later.

The material of the container may be of any suitable relatively light weight flexible character which is waterpermeable so that water can be expelled therethrough. Desirably, the material is of strong nylon cloth, preferably a Ballistic Nylon which is porous; and the sling and integral reinforcing straps are desirably of like material. The character of the material is not critical as long as it is water-permeable, and relatively light but strong to carry the load of washed fabrics.

The size of each container 21 is so related to the size of each bin 22 as to enable the container to be fitted within the bin with the bottom draw cord end substantially closed and resting over the bottom of the bin as can be seen from FIG. 11. Also, when so fitted, its depth is such that the upper edge portion 46 thereof can overhang the sides of the bin as shown in FIG. 1 with the slings 38 and 39 over the bin sides. As can be seen from FIG. 11, in fitting the container in the bin, slings 39 secured to container panels 33 (as shown in the position of FIG. 9) are positioned at opposite ends of the bin at one side thereof, while the corner sling 38 is positioned substantially midway of the opposite side of the bin adjacent the protuberance 32.

This relative positioning of the slings with reference to the bin has been found advantageous for enabling subsequent lifting of a container loaded with wet fabric; and also, the employment of three slings on each container positioned in the manner described has been found most advantageous for effecting balancing of the loads of two containers in the manner described later. In this connection, the elongated, rectangular horizontal sectional shape of the container has been found advantageous for good fitting of the container in the bin.

In utilizing the method and system hereof, a pair of bins fitted with containers in the manner described, are positioned end to end, as shown in FIG. 1, to receive washed fabrics discharged from the openings 3 of conventional washer 2. After the pair of containers has been loaded with washed fabrics, the load is evened in each container by patting it; and the bins with the fabric loaded containers therein are moved manually on their caster wheels to the starting position of the lift means 18. Such position is shown in FIG. 2; and it will be noted from this figure and also FIG. 11 that at the lift means, the bins are positioned in side by side relationship with the protuberances 32 of the respective bins in matching relationship.

The lift means includes a hook 47 having two opposite prongs 48, as shown in FIG. 12, to enable two of the fabric-loaded containers to be lifted simultaneously by the lift means 18 at the position shown in FIG. 2. In connecting the containers to the lift means, the slings are brought together by attaching the two slings 39 of the left container shown in FIG. 11, to one prong 48 and the single sling 38 is attached to the same prong, while the three slings of the other (right hand container shown in FIG. 11) are similarly connected to the other prong 48. Thus, the slings are connected to the same or common hook at substantially the same location. The bins are then unloaded by elevating the lift means, as indicated in FIG. 2A.

The use of three slings arranged in the manner described enhances even balancing of the pair of loaded containers. Also, it will be noted that the single center slings 38 are positioned substantially directly under the lift means. As a result when the other two slings 39 of each container are connected to the lift means, this causes the outer side of each container to assume a convex curved shape enabling the loaded container to be packed more easily in the cylindrical 'basket 8 of the extractor, which is another advantage of the three slings on each container. The slings 39 are now provided with two loops 44 because in case of a relatively low ceiling in the laundry, the inner loop 44 may be employed.

As a result of the protuberances 32 and as is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3C, a hollow portion 49 is provided in each container; and when both loaded containers are simultaneously lifted, the two hollow portions formed in the respective containers provide a cavity 51 between adjacent containers that can be readily positioned about the driving hub 11 of the extractor with the hub between the containers and each hollow portion 49 fitting about a portion of the hub, as is illustrated in FIG. 5. Because of the wet condition of the washed fabrics and the positioning of the containers adjacent each other when they are lifted, the cavity will not be destroyed. However, a conical surfaced protuberance has been found more advantageous in maintenance of the cavity shape because of the keystone effect which a cone provides, but the respective protuberances 0f the bins may be of any other suitable shape.

After being simultaneously lifted from the bins, the loaded containers with the draw cords 34 still closed are conveyed along the rail 17 to a position over extractor 6 shown in FIG. 3; and the two loaded containers are unloaded into the extractor with the cavity 51 about hub 11, and the slings are disconnected from the hook 47. The initial position after unloading is illustrated in FIG. 5. In the extractor, the workman then manually pats the two containers to distribute the load as evenly as possible in the cylindrical drum 8 of the extractor. The drum 8 is then rotated to expel water through perforations 9; and under the centrifugal action, water will flow through the container walls and the still loaded containers 21 will assume half ring-like balanced shapes, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6.

When water has been substantially completely extracted, the two containers are then connected to the lift means in the manner previously described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A, and then simultaneously lifted from the extractor, as shown in FIG. 3B. Then they are conveyed along the rail 17 to the conventional drier 14 shown in FIG. 4. The fabrics are then easily dumped 0r unloaded into the drier from the respective containers by loosening the draw cord 34 to open the bottom portion of each container, as is also illustrated in FIG. 4.

The particular size of the bins with respect to the size of the containers can be readily correlated for the type of equipment used in the laundry. A common type of washer is a Ludell washer manufactured by Ludell Manufacturing Company of Milwaukee, Wis., and a well known type of centrifugal extractor commonly used is manufactured by American Laundry Machinery of Cincinnati, Ohio, and known as Notrux extractor with common basket diameters of 50 and 54 inches.

For equipment of this character in the system hereof, bins having a length of about 56 inches, a width of 24 inches, and a depth of about 24 inches with an over-all height of 31 inches are suitable. Suitable dimensions for the containers for such bins are a height of about 51 inches from top to bottom, and a circumference of about 160 inches with each panel 33, as shown in FIG. 9, about inches long. Slings 39 at one side are about 22 inches long and sling 38 about 9 inches in length; and they and the reinforcing straps 42 integral therewith are about inch wide.

A container of such size will weigh about 20 pounds compared to the heavy half cylindrical metal baskets previously employed which weight about 300 pounds each; and each container hereof will comfortably hold a load of about 200 pounds. The cost of a pair of such flexible containers is about $90.00 compared to a pair of the previously employed metal baskets which cost about $1700.00, thus making for substantial savings.

Not only are the saving substantial, but extraction time is materially reduced. With metal baskets used in the extractor, it takes about 3 minutes to bring the extractor up to speed compared to about 35 seconds with the flexible containers hereof because of their relatively light weight; and in reducing speed after the water has been expelled approximately the same amount of time is saved, thus effecting a time saving in the extractor step of the system of about 5 minutes. Also, because of the relatively light weight of the flexible containers, there is minimum vibration of the extractor, thus saving wear and tear thereon.

The above sizes of container and of the bin are merely by way of example, as it is to be understood that such sizes may vary with change in size of equipment. Also, although the protuberances are most advantageous in fitting the loaded containers about hub 11 of the extractor, they are not essential but if omitted more time and labor are involved in packing and balancing the loaded containers in the extractor. The use of bins and containers of the character described can be employed for one container in one bin but then the system would be more timeconsuming and the balancing effect of loading simultaneously two containers into the extractor would not obtain.

What is claimed is:

1. A bin for transporting a flexible container loaded with washed fabrics to hoist means for transporting the container to a centrifugal drier in a laundry system, which has a cylinder driven by means including a centrally located hub, said bin having walls on all sides to confine the container on all sides when fabrics are loaded therein, means supporting said bin for movement along a supporting surface, and a protruding portion at and substantially midway of a side of the bin extending from adjacent the bottom thereof to form a hollow portion in said container when loaded with washed fabrics, said protruding portion being of suflicient length along said bin side and width transversely with respect to said side to shape said hollow portion for fitting about a portion of said extractor hub.

2. In a laundry system wherein washed wet fabrics are transported from a washer to a centrifugal extractor for expelling water from said fabrics, said extractor comprising a cylinder driven by means including a centrally located hub; the improved method of handling said fabrics which comprises providing bins each mounted on means enabling the bin to be moved along a supporting surface, providing flexible water-permeable containers each for removable support within a bin to receive washed fabrics discharged from the washer, each container having means for attachment to lift means for bodily removing the container from the bin with a load of washed fabrics therein, utilizing two of such containers and two of such bins, discharging washed fabrics from the washer into such containers while they are supported in the bins to load the containers, after the two containers are thus loaded in the bins moving said bins with the loaded containers therein to the lift means, positioning the bins in side by side relationship at such lift means, lifting the loaded containers from both bins simultaneously with the bins adjacent each other, transporting both loaded containers simultaneously to the extractor in side by side relationship, and unloading both of said loaded containers into the extractor with the extractor hub between the loaded containers.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein each container is of tubular form having a bottom forming portion openable and recloseable by a draw cord and has flexible slings projecting from the top as the means for attachment to a common hook on the lift means; comprising the additional steps of positioning the respective containers in the bins with the bottom portion substantially closed and supported on the bottom of the bin and the top portion positioned adjacent sides of the bin for receiving washed fabrics from the washer, after the washed fabrics are discharged into the bins bringing said slings together and connecting said slings to said common hook on the lift means for transportion of the loaded containers to said extractor, after water is expelled in the extractor lifting the loaded containers by said slings and transporting them to a drier, and at the drier discharging the fabrics into the drier by loosening the draw cord of each container to open the bottom portion of the container.

4. In a laundry system wherein washed wet fabrics are transported from a washer to a centrifugal extractor for expelling water from said fabrics, said extractor comprising a perforated cylinder driven by means including a centrally located hub; the improved method of handling said fabrics which comprises providing bins each mounted on means enabling the bin to be moved along a supporting surface, providing flexible water-permeable containers each for removable support within a bin to receive washed fabric discharged from the washer, each container having means for attachment to lift means for bodily removing the container from the bin with a load of washed fabrics therein, utilizing two of such containers and two of such bins, discharging washed fabrics from the washer into such containers while they are supported in the bins to load the containers, forming a hollow portion in a side of each loaded container by provision of a protruding portion at a side of each bin, after the two containers are thus loaded in the bins moving said bins with the loaded containers therein to the lift means, positioning the bins adjacent each other in side by side relationship at such lift means with the protuberances matching to form a bottom cavity between the two loaded containers, lifting the loaded containers from both bins simultaneously, transporting both loaded containers simultaneously to the extractor, and unloading both of said loaded containers into the extractor with said cavity about said extractor hub.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein each protruding portion of a bin is formed with a substantially conical surface with the base at the bottom of the bin to shape the hollow portion in each container with a complementary conical surface.

6. A laundry system apparatus comprising a bin substantially rectangularly shaped in horizontal cross-section having spaced apart opposite sides and spaced apart opposite ends and which is mounted on means enabling the bin to be moved along a supporting surface, and a flexible water-permeable container for washed fabrics for positioning within said bin against said bin sides and ends; the container being of tubular form having a bottomforming portion openable and recloseable by a draw cord, and flexible slings extending from the top for attachment to a common hook on lift means, the container tube when in a collapsed folded position with the draw cord open comprising two side panels positionable adjacent each other with a corner sling extending from an upper corner of the collapsed tube, and a side sling extending from the upper edge of each side panel at a position spaced from the corner opposite said corner sling; the size of the tube being such that when it is opened and fitted within the bin against said bin sides and ends with the draw cord end substantially closed and over the bottom of the bin, the side slings are at opposite ends at one side of the bin, and the corner sling is substantially midway of the opposite side of the bin, each of said side slings having a plurality of loops, and being longer than said corner sling.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a pair of substantially like bins and a pair of substantially like containers are provided whereby when said containers are loaded in said bins with washed fabrics with their draw cords substantially closed and the bins are positioned in side by side relationship adjacent each other with the midway slings adjacent each other, the two loaded containers can be simultaneously removed in balanced side by side relationship from said bins by a common hook connected to said slings.

8. In a laundry system wherein washed fabrics are transported from a washer to a centrifugal extractor for expelling water from said fabrics, said extractor comprismg a cylinder driven by means including a centrally located hub; the improved method of handling said fabrics which comprises providing bins each of substantially the same shape and size for carrying substantially the same load each and which is mounted on means enabling the bin to be moved along a supporting surface, providing flexible water-permeable containers each of which is removably supported within a bin to receive washed fabrics, discharged from the washer, each container having flexible slings projecting from its upper edge for attachment to a lift hook on lift means for bodily removing the container from the bin with a load of washed fabrics therein, utilizing two of such containers and two of such bins, discharging washed fabrics from the washer into such containers while they are supported in the bins to load the containers, moving the bins with the loaded containers thereon to a hook on lift means, positioning the bins in side by side relationship at the lift means, connecting the slings of both containers to the lift hook at a substantially common location, lifting the loaded containers from both bins simultaneously with such loaded containers in side by side balanced relationship, transporting both loaded containers simultaneously to the extractor, and unloading both of said loaded containers into the extractor with the hub between said loaded containers.

9. A bin for transporting a flexible container loaded with washed fabrics to hoist means for transporting the container to a centrifugal drier in a laundry system, which has a cylinder driven by means including a centrally located hub, said bin having walls on all sides to confine the container on all sides when fabrics are loaded therein, means supporting said bin for movement along a supporting surface, and a protruding portion at a side of the bin extending from adjacent the bottom thereof to form a hollow portion in said container when loaded with washed fabrics; said protruding portion being of sufficient size to shape said hollow portion for fitting about a portion of said extractor hub and having a substantially conical surface with the base at the bottom of the bin.

10. The bin of claim 9 in which the bin has elongated sides and is substantially rectangular in horizontal crosssection, and said conical surface is substantially midway at one side.

11. A pair of bins for transporting flexible containers loaded with washed fabrics to hoist means for transporting the containers to a centrifugal drier in a laundry system, which has a cylinder driven by means including a centrally located hub, each of said bins having walls on all sides to confine the container on all sides when fabrics are loaded therein, means supporting each bin for movement along a supporting surface, and a protruding portion at a side of each bin extending from adjacent the bottom thereof to form a hollow portion in said container when loaded with washed fabrics, said protruding portion being of sufficient size to shape said hollow portion for fitting about a portion of said extractor hub, only one such protuberance being provided substantially midway at said side of each bin whereby when such sides are positioned 10 side by side with the protruding portions adjacent each other, said portions form a cavity between a pair of loaded containers for fitting about said extractor hub after they are simultaneously hoisted from said bins.

12. A laundry system apparatus comprising a bin mounted on means enabling the bin to be moved along a supporting surface; and a tubular container of flexible water-permeable material fitted within the bin and having a bottom openable and closeable by a draw cord positioned over the bottom of the bin with the bottom substantially closed and with the top portion of the container overhanging sides of the bin to receive washed fabrics discharged from a Washer, flexible slings projecting from the top of the container for connection to common lift means after the container has been loaded with washed fabrics, the container having three of such slings, a pair of the slings being positioned at one side of the bin adjacent the respective ends thereof with a third sling positioned substantially midway at the opposite side of the bin; and said bin having a protuberance substantially midway of said opposite bin side for forming a hollow portion in the container, said protuberance being of a size suflicient to shape said hollow portion for fitting about a portion of a centrifugal extractor hub.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 849,816 4/ 1907 Suostrom 28079.2UX 1,573,626 2/1926 Braley 68-3 1,791,097 2/1931 Jetel 28079.2UX 1,871,663 8/1932 Carroll 68-3 2,433,131 12/1947 Leef 68-210UX 2,904,183 9/ 1959 Miller 29469X 3,369,584 2/1968 Faccion et al. l-3

FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner H. B. RAMEY, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

